Author's Note: First of all, I would like to thank the kind and cool people that likes my first ficcie so far… Lots of thanks for the reviews… They make me all warm and fuzzy inside… Here's the update I promised ya!
Disclaimer: I do not own Pokémon or any of its wonderful characters. They all belong to Satoshi Tajiri and the Nintendo Company. If I did own it, Gary would be the main character…
Summary: Misty's day at a carnival turns from bad to worse, until Gary turns her frown upside down…
Warning: This fanfiction is an egoshippy story. Yes, that would be a Gary/Misty… If this pairing disturbs you, I suggest that you leave… Pokéshippers beware… But if you enjoy this pairing, I warmly welcome you here and I hope you enjoy!
Reminder: The texts in italics refer to either a flashback or a thought.
CHAPTER 3
Gary stared at the battered doll for a few moments... It was familiar… "No way!" he muttered. "Why?" she asked.
"Now I remember! That doll… It's a ghost Pokémon…called Banette," "What!" was all Misty could say at the moment… "It's a ghost Pokémon that condenses the worst fears of the humans it encounters by means of illusions," he answered mechanically, as if he swallowed the whole Pokémon encyclopedia.
"So that giant Ariados was an illusion then?" continued by the stunned Misty. "Afraid so…. Guess this house was scarier than I thought would be… You all right?" he continued warmly, as he helped Misty stand up. They stared again at the Banette… It was now holding up a sign. It said…"Thank you for visiting the Haunted House. We hope you had a scary good time. Come back again. Have a nice day!" It bowed as it raised its grimy little hand to the direction of the exit.
"Well, that was certainly a perplexing experience, "exclaimed Gary Oak as he went out of the black Haunted House. Misty was still looking gloomy… "Hey, Misty," he said meekly. "I'm sorry for that… I was the one who insisted on going to that place." She looked up and to Gary's relief, she smiled.
"Don't worry about that. We didn't expect that a Banette would be inside now, did we?" she said gently. "And Gary… Thanks, you know, for trying to protect me and all. No one did that for me; not ever. Not even Ash would have the guts to do that…" Gary blushed and scratched his cheek nervously, wearing a sheepish grin. He was glad that Misty was all better. Moreover, he was glad that she isn't furious with him.
"I have a question though," she continued. Gary cocked his head to see what's up… "You said that the Banette shows the worst fears of the humans it encounters… How come I didn't see your fear?" she asked, with a matching raised eyebrow.
"Well, duh!" he said cockily, as if the answer was obvious. "It didn't show anything because I have no fear! I'm not only good-looking, but fearless and chivalrous as well!" "You have got to be kidding me," said Misty skeptically as she rolled her eyes. In the back of Gary's mind… "I'm lying. I was also afraid…I saw my worst fear… But I won't tell you that… "
"Beep! Beep!" Their silence was suddenly interrupted by a series of beeps and alarms. Misty took out her phone and saw that her Inbox was full of incoming messages…messages from Ash. "It looks like he's worried about you… You should go and see him…," Gary said thoughtfully. Misty looked into Gary's eyes for a few moments… and turned off her cell phone. She pocketed it. "I don't have the heart to forgive him yet," she said icily. Gary could only stare…. He eventually broke the silence. "So, it's your turn to pick now. Where do you wanna go?"
"OK, I pick," she muttered, while running her index finger over the map. "the Falling Star ride!" Gary stared at her for a few moments… "You quite sure about that?" he said weakly.
"Yeah, of course I am! Let's go! I wanted to try this ride since I arrived here!" she said excitedly as she pulled his arm. After a few seconds, they arrived at the attraction in question. It was a gigantic 200 meter free fall ride with a shining Starmie at the top of the tower. Gary gulped as he and Misty waited in line. He looked at her excited face as she waited anxiously for their turn... "If this is what it takes for her to forget what happened in the Food Court, then I'll do it," he thought nervously, as he took a deep breath.
"You OK?" Misty said as she looked at Gary's nervous face. "Yeah, I am," he replied as he flashed a thumbs-up sign. She eventually looked away… There were still a few minutes before their turn will come…
Her mind wandered off for the moment and thought about the scene in the Haunted House earlier… She thought about the moment that she was sobbing in Gary's arms... She couldn't help wondering why he did that… She was, after all, one of his rival's closest friends… She recalled his embrace, what it felt like… She could remember every detail of it as she closed her eyes… His warmth, his strength, his concern… The comfort it gave… The safety and sanctuary it provided… All these in a single tight hug… One thing crossed Misty's mind, as she looked at him… "I wish he would do that again to me…"
"This way please, Sir and Miss," the guide said, as he beckoned Gary and Misty to the ride. "Well, it's too late to back out now… Steady, Gary, you can and will do this…" he thought to himself as he looked at the tremendous height of the ride. Misty unconsciously grabbed Gary's right hand. She was highly surprised on what it felt like… It was cold and clammy… She looked at him, as they approached the seats… He was really pale; it was as if he was really afraid of something… It was already too late when she was able to put two and two together… Gary is terrified of heights!
They were already strapped into the seats… "Enjoy the ride!" the operator said as he pulled the safety bars to secure them in place… Gary's stomach lurched as felt the ride beginning its ascent. Misty was really worried to see Gary's face as they were going slowly up… He had his eyes closed tightly. He also had his teeth clenched, as if bracing for a tremendous impact. His two hands were holding the safety bar tightly, as if he was afraid that it would disappear into thin air… She had half a mind of shouting to stop the ride but that would be too conspicuous… And besides, they already reached the top of the ride... Then, it happened… The free fall has started… They were falling…falling… He wanted to scream his brain off... But, he couldn't even scream because of fear. Gary remembered it again…the sickening feeling as he plummeted down into the abyss… into nothingness… He hated it. He was sick of it…He was afraid of it… Then, as soon as it started, it stopped. They were back onto the solid ground, safe and sound. "Gary, are you all right? The ride's over…" Misty asked, face etched with concern and regret. "I'm not… I think I'm gonna be sick…" he muttered feverishly.
They left the ride after a few seconds and plopped down a nearby bench. Gary was very shaken by the ride, trembling a little. He was really pale and looked as if he really was going to be sick. He used his hand to cover his mouth. It was too late. He couldn't control the sickening taste of bile in his mouth. He threw up in a nearby trash can. He was sweating profusely… Misty was really worried… His eyes were still shut, shunning the sight of the infernal ride… And it all came back… That horrifying incident…The pain it caused…the feeling it harbored… All of it;
A seven year old Gary Oak was running around as he looked for a place to hide. He and Ash were playing an exciting game of hide-and-seek. It was Ash's turn to be "it". Gary found a twenty meter leafy Sitrus Berry tree. The perfect place to hide… He had extraordinarily good climbing skills for a seven year old. He reached the near top of the Apricorn tree as he nestled himself."Gary, where are you?" Ash's whining voice rang as he looked fruitlessly for Gary. At the top of the tree, he snickered to himself…"He's never going to find me here." Hours and hours passed, until sunset came. "He must've given up already," he said as he prepared to come down. To his surprise, he heard a flock of Noctowl coming to that tree. He didn't realize it… But the tree he chose to climb was the home for an entire flock of Noctowl! The bird Pokémon charged, thinking he was an intruder.
Thousands of beaks and claws dug into his skin as he screamed… He flailed his arms helplessly as he lost his balance. He fell, but managed to hold on at the branch with his right hand. He was hanging on for dear life. His right arm meant the difference between life and death. He looked down… It was as if the ground was miles and miles away… He thought he was going to die. He screamed his lungs out for help but to his horror, nobody came. Fatigue crept along his right arm. He wasted all of his energy… He plummeted down and down…He thought that was it…He hit the ground with a sickening thud. He lost consciousness and broke his right arm and leg. Good thing his Grandpa found him minutes after the incident and brought him to a nearby hospital. He was glad that he was alive, but terrified of the experience. Never wanting to repeat it ever again…
"Gary, please answer me… Are you OK?" she repeated. "I'm…sorry…M-…Misty…" was all he could come up with. He started to tremble uncontrollably as he recalled that incident… Misty was horrified at the sight of this scene.
This is the first time she saw the machoman Gary Oak all broken down like this. The first time she saw his other side…his fear… his trauma… She had to do something. He was starting to have a panic attack. Misty wanted to ask for help. But she couldn't leave him alone like that… She needed to comfort him…immediately.
She needed to repay him for his actions in the Haunted House. This time, it was he who needed her. She did it. She hugged him as tight as she could; trying to give him the same warmth he gave earlier, the same comfort he gave "Gary, please… Calm down… I'm here…," she cooed, like a mother comforting a terrified child. She prayed to every God and saint she knew for this to work.
Passersby began to stare at their awkward position. She couldn't care less at them. To Misty's relief, it started to work… He relaxed to her touch. He succumbed to the embrace. The trembling stopped. His head was nestled in her shoulder in the same manner hers was when they were in that blasted house. They held that position for a few minutes… He eventually shattered the silence. "Thanks, Misty…" he said, taking a deep breath. Misty smiled ear to ear when she heard that he was fine. Gary was back…
"Are you OK now?" she asked, making sure. "Yeah, I am… Thanks," he replied, blushing. "Why didn't you tell me you were traumatized of heights, Gary? We shouldn't have taken that ride, if I knew," she continued.
His answer pierced her heart… "Well, I didn't tell you that because you wanted to go on that ride badly. If I told you, you would have stopped yourself and your enjoyment along with it. I wanted to make you forget what happened in the Food Court by enjoying yourself here, with me," he replied softly.
She could only stare at his handsome face… She was shocked to hear that he took that ride, ignoring his fear, just for her own silly enjoyment… She had no idea that he was this selfless, sacrificing himself for others…Was this Gary's real personality? Was he just a misunderstood person? He was once a selfish jerk… Did he put all that behind him?
"I'm sorry," was all she could say as she hugged Gary again. "I thought I actually got over it… But I still didn't, I guess. I'm sorry for making you worry," he said softly as he returned the embrace. He then proceeded on telling Misty about his experience, on why he was afraid of heights. Her mouth went agape as he finished the story…
"So, it's your turn again, Gary" began Misty as they perused over the park map. "I think I'll skip my turn. You pick… as long its not scary and not a high ride," said Gary, with a shrug. "OK, let's try something a little retro… The Grand Carousel!"
"Say what! There is no way the great and famous Gary Oak will be seen in some stupid kiddie ride! What will my fans say if they see me there?" he pouted, running his hand onto his mane of hair. "Hmm, maybe you're right… Your gigantic ego might crush the poor thing you're riding on into submission," she said, rolling her eyes. "Just stop complaining! Who knows? You might also enjoy it."
"I don't actually know why I agreed to this," said Gary Oak as they approached the carousel. It was a beautiful. Figures of Horsea were used as the horses. There was also an ala-princess carriage being pulled by a Kingdra. Unlike the other spectacular rides, there was no line of people craning to get a ride. It really was that kiddy…
"Man! Getting trampled by a herd of Dragonite is a blast compared to this sham of a ride… I'd rather face that Banette again," he complained, as he slapped his forehead. "Would you quit being a wet blanket, or would you rather get your rude mouth washed out with a Bubblebeam?" she said threateningly as she took out Seadra's Pokéball.
"Fine," said Gary, admitting defeat, but smiled. "I knew you'd see it my way," she continued with a mysterious wink.
Since they were the only ones lining up, the operator just insisted that they got on already. They plopped down in the carriage that was intended for couples. A majestic Kingdra was the one carved in front of it. The carousel started spinning slowly, as romantic music began playing…
It really was a scene to remember… As the ride started, Misty grabbed Gary's arm and hugged it… as if his presence was a sanctuary to her. Gary could do nothing but comply… He loved her feminine touch… He remembered the time she comforted him after he got freaked out by the ride… Her touch was like a mother's… simply comforting and satisfying. They indeed looked as a prince and princess riding a carriage going into the sunset. Misty wished that they too would also have a happy ending…. Just like in those fairy tales… They looked into each other's eyes… The unthinkable happened again… They embraced and were relieved to find in each other's arms…The feeling was intimate…
"Uhm, Sir, Miss! You can get off now," the operator insisted, snapping the two lovebirds back into reality. The ride ended, without them noticing it. "Oops! Sorry!" they said at the same time, and blushed. They got off after a few seconds. They wandered off a little and found themselves in some sort of midway sideshow…
Booths of all sorts were lined up in an army-like fashion… They were walking, peering curiously on what each stall has to offer. Then, Misty spotted it… A huge Starmie plush toy adorned on a top shelf in a stall named "Poliwrath's Test of Strength: Find out if you really are a man!"
"Wow! What a cute plush toy!" she exclaimed to Gary as she pointed childishly to the purple doll. "Yeah, yeah…cute…," he said without interest as he looked into the opposite stall, which was selling evolutionary stones. "What's the matter? You could at least look," she said exasperatedly, as she pulled him closer to the wooden booth.
Author's Note: Thank you for reading! I'm sorry if it was kinda shortcompared to theprevious chapters...Please click the button on the lower left of your screen and review! Thanks a lot! I'd highly appreciate it… Special thanks all those who reviewed for the past chappies… You made me sooo welcome here…
